from Lisa Dillman of the LA Times,

For the Kings, it is back to scoreboard watching and heavy lifting. They've won a season-high seven consecutive games to regain a measure of control over their fate with 24 games remaining in the regular season. Their winning streak is their most-successful run since they won eight games in a row last season, from Feb. 6 to March 10.

“We have 14 road games and 12 division games, so I wouldn't put too much emphasis on where we are right now,” Coach Darryl Sutter said. “In fact, I'm going to put money on it that we have more points this year at this time than we did last year after this.”

Sutter knows his numbers.

After 58 games last season, the Kings had 66 points. They have 68 through 58 games this season and are three points behind second-place Vancouver in the Pacific Division.

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